Multi-layer cable splice

ABSTRACT

A cable splice includes a casing having a central portion and a first end including a first aperture. The casing defines an interior cavity. A guide assembly extends through the first opening into the interior cavity. A first clamp member is positioned in the interior cavity and moveable between a loading position and a terminated position. A first biasing member biases the first clamp member toward the terminated position. A carrier is positioned in the interior cavity between the first biasing member and the central region. A second clamp member is positioned in the carrier and moveable with respect to the carrier.

RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is based on U.S. provisional application Ser. No.62/308,486, filed Mar. 15, 2016, the disclosure of which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety and to which priority is claimed.

FIELD

The invention relates to splices for connecting first and second utilitytransmission line cables.

BACKGROUND

Splicing connectors may be used to join a variety of electricalconductors, including high-voltage power lines. Some splicing connectorsallow a user to simply input two different conductors into theconnector. Such splicing connectors, commonly referred to as automaticsplices, may be used by utility linemen to quickly connect lengths ofsuspended cables during installation or repair of downed power lines.

An automatic splice typically includes a housing having an opening oneach axial end for receiving cables. After the cables are inserted, thehousing includes clamps for maintaining the cables in a relativeposition. The automatic splice is then capable of conducting electricityfrom one cable to the other. Seating the cables properly in the housingis important to ensure a secure and lasting connection. This seating isespecially true in exposed cables undergoing stress from differentdirections, such as from wind, ice, galloping or additional loading thatmay occur in regular use.

Utility linemen use automatic splices in normal or emergency powerrestoration situations, under a variety situations and environmentalconditions. Applying significant force to insert the cables or knowingif the cable has been fully inserted may be difficult for the lineman.Automatic splices typically have non-transparent casings or housings,making visual inspection of the cables positioning impossible. If acable is not properly or fully inserted, the retaining clamps will notfunction as intended. Failure of a spliced connection can release livecables, risking dangerous conditions to people and property, especiallyin the instance of live power lines.

SUMMARY

According to an exemplary embodiment, a cable splice includes a casinghaving a central portion and a first end including a first aperture. Thecasing defines an interior cavity. A guide assembly extends through thefirst opening into the interior cavity. A first clamp member ispositioned in the interior cavity and moveable between a loadingposition and a terminated position. A first biasing member biases thefirst clamp member toward the terminated position. A carrier ispositioned in the interior cavity between the first biasing member andthe central region. A second clamp member is positioned in the carrierand moveable with respect to the carrier.

According to another exemplary embodiment, a cable splice includes acasing having an opening configured to receive a cable. The casingdefines an interior cavity. A guide extends into the casing. An escortcup is positioned in the casing and configured to receive an outer layerof the cable. The escort cup is moveable with respect to the guide. Apilot cup positioned in the casing and configured to receive an innerlayer of the cable. The pilot cup is moveable with respect to the guideand the escort cup. A first jaw assembly is positioned in the interiorcavity and moveable between a first loading position configured toreceive the cable and a first terminated position configured to engagethe outer layer of the cable. A second jaw assembly is positioned in theinterior cavity and moveable between a second loading positionconfigured to receive the cable and a second terminated positionconfigured to engage the inner layer of the cable.

Another exemplary embodiment is directed to a method of connectingutility line conductors. A multi-strand cable is stripped to remove aportion of an outer layer and expose an inner layer. The cable isinserted into a cable splice that includes an escort cup, a pilot cup, afirst jaw assembly, a carrier, and a second jaw assembly positioned inthe carrier. The inner layer of the cable is engaged with the pilot cupand the outer layer of the cable is engaged with the escort cup. Thepilot cup is moved through the first jaw assembly. The escort cup ismoved through the first jaw assembly. The pilot cup is moved into thecarrier and through the second jaw assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The aspects and features of various exemplary embodiments will be moreapparent from the description of those exemplary embodiments taken withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of an exemplary splice with inserted cables;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the splice of FIG. 1 without the insertedcables;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary casing;

FIG. 4 is sectional view of the casing of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of an exemplary guide;

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side, sectional view of the guide of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a side view of an exemplary escort cup;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a rear view of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a front view of FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is a side view of an exemplary pilot cup;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a front view of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a rear view of FIG. 12;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the exemplary guide, escort cup, andpilot cup;

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary jaw assembly;

FIG. 18 is a top view of the jaw member of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a side view of the jaw member of FIG. 17;

FIG. 20 is front perspective view of an exemplary carrier;

FIG. 21 is side perspective view of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a top view of FIG. 20;

FIG. 23 is a side view of FIG. 20;

FIG. 24 is a sectional view of FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a bottom view of an exemplary jaw member of the second jawassembly;

FIG. 26 is a side view of FIG. 25;

FIG. 27 is front view of an exemplary retainer of the second jawassembly;

FIG. 28 is a side view of the exemplary second jaw assembly;

FIG. 29 is a front view of FIG. 28;

FIG. 30 is a top view of the exemplary carrier and second jaw assembly;

FIG. 31 is a sectional view of FIG. 30;

FIG. 32 is a front view of an exemplary center stop;

FIG. 33 is a sectional view of the center stop in the casing;

FIG. 34 is a sectional view of the exemplary splice prior to cableinsertion;

FIG. 35 is a sectional view of the exemplary splice after the cable hasbeen fully inserted;

FIG. 36 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a dead-end splice;

FIG. 37 is a top view of a dual chamber carrier; and

FIG. 38 is a sectional view of FIG. 37.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Various exemplary embodiments are directed to a cable splice for usewith multi-strand cables 10. Multi-strand cables 10 can include an outerlayer that surrounds an inner layer. In an exemplary embodiment, theouter layer is made from a first material, for example aluminum strands,while the inner layer is made of a second material, for example steelstrands.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a splice includes a casing12 having a first side and a second side with each side having a set ofcomponents. The casing 12 includes a substantially tubular body having afirst casing end 14 and a second casing end 16, at least a portion ofwhich tapers to the respective end of the casing 12. The casingsurrounds an internal cavity that can be divided into a first chamber, asecond chamber, and a central region. The components in the secondchamber may be identical to the first. Certain embodiments, however, mayutilize different components in the second chamber. The presentinvention may also be utilized as a dead-end type connector that hasonly a single chamber. Although the drawings depict the first and secondchambers having identical components, only the components of the firstchamber may be discussed in certain instances for brevity.

In an example embodiment, the components can include: a guide assemblyhaving a guide 20, an escort cup 22, and a pilot cup 24; a first clampin the form of a first jaw assembly 26; a carrier assembly having acarrier 28, a second clamp in the form of a second jaw assembly 30, anda biasing member 32; and a center stop 34. A biasing member 36 ispositioned between the carrier assembly and the first jaw assembly 26and another biasing member 38 is positioned between the center stop 34and the carrier assembly.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show an exemplary casing 12 having a swaged, tubular body,although a variety of shapes may be used having any number of straightor curved sides. The casing 12 includes a first casing aperture 40 and asecond casing aperture 42. The first and second casing apertures 40, 42may include a chamfered or beveled edge to allow for easy installationof additional components. The first casing end 14 tapers from thecentral region 18 to the first casing aperture 40, forming a firstfrusto-conical member defining the first chamber. The second casing endsimilarly tapers from the central region 18 to the second casingaperture 42, forming a second frusto-conical member defining the secondchamber. Various components are housed in the first and second chambersas discussed below. Only the components of the first chamber may bediscussed in certain instances for brevity.

The guide 20 can be positioned so that it has a portion positionedoutside of the casing 12 and a portion extending into the casing 12through the first casing aperture 40. The guide 20 receives and guides acable 10 being inserted into the splice. The guide 20 helps preventstrands of the cable from splaying, allowing a quick, easy, and cleaninsertion of a length of cable.

As best shown in FIGS. 5-7, the guide 20 includes a receiving end 44having a funnel-shaped body surrounding an aperture and a cylindricalshaft 46 extending from the receiving end 44. The receiving end 44 ispositioned outside of the casing 12, while the shaft 46 extends into thefirst chamber. In alternative exemplary embodiments, the receiving end44 and the shaft 46 are positioned either partly or entirely, in thefirst chamber. The receiving end 44 may be a variety of shapes andsizes, depending on relevant factors such as the cable shape and size.The interior surface of guide 20 can include one or more curvilineartransitions between the outer edge of the receiving end 44 and the shaft46. In an exemplary embodiment where there is more than one curvedtransition, the transitions can have a different radius of curvature.For example a transition proximate the outer edge can have a firstradius of curvature while a transition proximate the shaft 46 can have asecond radius of curvature that is larger than the first radius ofcurvature.

The shaft 46 has a first inner surface defining a first section 48 witha first diameter and a second inner surface defining a second section 50with a second diameter. The diameter of the first section 48 is lessthan the diameter of the second section 50, forming a ledge 52 at thetransition between the two. The first section 48 includes a groove 54.The outer surface of the shaft 46 includes one or more ribs 56. The ribs56 engage the inner casing surface providing a secure fit between thecasing 12 and the guide 20, assisting in retaining the guide 20 inposition and preventing unwanted movement relative to the casing 12.

An exemplary embodiment of an escort cup 22 is shown in FIGS. 8-11. Theescort cup 22 is positioned behind the guide 20 to receive the conductor10 as it is inserted into the casing 12. The escort cup 22 can be eitherconnected to, adjacent to, or spaced laterally from the guide 20. Aftera cable is inserted into and passes through the guide 20, it enters theescort cup 22 to travel through the first jaw assembly 26. At least aportion of the escort cup 22 can be initially positioned in the firstjaw assembly 26.

The escort cup 22 includes a front end 58 having an opening forreceiving a cable and a rear shaft 60. The front end 58 has asubstantially cylindrical outer surface and an inner surface having atapered section forming a frusto-conical region. The tapered sectionallows for proper engagement of different sized conductors. A groove 62is formed around the rear shaft. The rear shaft 60 is hollow with asubstantially cylindrical configuration. The escort cup 22 helps to keepthe outer strands of the cable 10 from splaying.

An exemplary embodiment of a pilot cup 24 is shown in FIGS. 12-15. Thepilot cup 24 is positioned behind the guide 20 and the escort cup 22 toreceive the conductor 10 as it is inserted into the casing 12. The pilotcup 24 can be either connected to, adjacent to, or spaced laterally fromthe escort cup 22. After a cable 10, or a portion thereof, is insertedinto and passes through the guide 20 and the escort cup 22, it entersthe pilot cup 24 to travel through the first jaw assembly 26. At least aportion of the pilot cup 24 can be initially positioned in the first jawassembly 26.

According to the exemplary embodiment, the pilot cup 22 has acylindrical outer surface with an open first end having a first diameterand an open second end having a second diameter less than the firstdiameter. In alternative embodiments, a variety of shapes, sizes, andconfigurations may be used. The pilot cup 24 has a first inner surfacesurrounding a first chamber 64 with a first diameter proximate to thefirst end and a tapered second inner surface surrounding a secondchamber 66 with a varying diameter proximate to the second end. Thetapered second chamber 66 allows for proper engagement of differentsized conductors. The diameter of the first chamber 64 is greater thanthe diameter of the second chamber 66, resulting in the pilot cup 24having a thicker, inner rear wall 68. When the pilot cup 24 ispositioned in the first jaw assembly 26, the thicker rear wall 68provides additional support against the force exerted by the first jawassembly 26 on the pilot cup 24, helping to prevent the pilot cup 24from becoming crushed, deformed, or dislodged. The pilot cup 24 helps tokeep the inner strands of the cable 10 from splaying.

As best shown in FIG. 16, in an initial or loading position, the guide20, the escort cup 22, and the pilot cup 24 are connected to form aguide assembly. The escort cup 22 is initially positioned at leastpartially inside of the second section of the guide 20, with a front endof the escort cup engaging the ledge 52. The rear shaft 60 of the escortcup 22 is at least partially positioned inside of the pilot cup 24 sothat a portion of the pilot cup 24 is received in the outer groove 62.As a cable 10 is inserted, the escort cup 22 and pilot cup 24 disengagefrom the guide 20, traveling through the first jaw assembly 26. In someembodiments, the position and spacing of the guide 20, escort cup 22,and the pilot cup 24 can be varied.

The first jaw assembly 26 is positioned between the guide assembly andthe first outer biasing member 36. As best shown in FIGS. 17-19, thefirst jaw assembly 26 includes an upper jaw member 76 and a lower jawmember 78. Though two jaw members 76, 78 are shown in this exemplaryembodiment, one jaw member or more than two jaw members may also beused. Certain embodiments may utilize other cable retainers, instead of,or in combination with, the jaw members 76, 78, as would be understoodby one of ordinary skill in the art.

The upper jaw member 76 and the lower jaw member 78 are substantiallyidentical as shown in FIG. 17, and the same references numbers will beused for like parts in describing the jaw members 76, 78. The jawmembers 76, 78 have a front jaw surface 80, a rear jaw surface 82, and ajaw body 84 extending therebetween. The jaw body 84 has an arcuate outersurface and an inner surface. At least a portion of the jaw body 84 hasa semi-funnel-shape, tapering towards the front jaw surface 80. Thistaper is similar to or corresponds to the taper of the inner casingsurface, allowing the jaw members 76, 78 to slide within the firstchamber. At least a portion of the jaw body 84 inner surface contains aseries of teeth 86. The teeth 86 may have any shape, pitch, length,width, or spacing. In the exemplary embodiment, the teeth 86 extend fromthe inner surface at an angle towards the rear jaw surface 82.

The jaw members 76, 78 include one or more radially extendingprojections 88 and one or more corresponding openings 90. Theprojections 88 and openings 90 may have a variety of sizes or shapes.The projections 88 and openings 90 are staggered, so that a single partmay be used for the upper jaw member 76 and the lower jaw member 78.When placed together, the projections 88 from the upper jaw member 76will mate with the openings 90 of the lower jaw member 78 and viceversa. This mating relationship couples the upper jaw member 76 to thelower jaw member 78 to prevent one jaw member from moving axiallyrelative to the other jaw, ensuring substantially uniform axial movementbetween the jaw members 76, 78. The projections 88 extend radiallyinwardly and have a length preventing disengagement as the jaw members76, 78 are moved radially away from one another by being pushed towardsthe central region 18, but also prevents the projections 88 frominterfering with movement of the jaw members 76, 78 as they are biasedtowards the first casing end 16 by extending through the openings 90 andcontacting the inner casing surface 42.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the biasing member 36 has a firstend for contacting the rear jaw surface 82 and a second end forcontacting the carrier 28. In the exemplary embodiment shown, thebiasing member 36 is a coil spring, although the biasing member 20 canbe other devices or materials. The outer diameter, wire diameter, pitch,length and material type of the spring may be varied depending on theapplication.

FIGS. 20-24 show an exemplary embodiment of the carrier 28. The carrier28 has a body surrounding an interior with a front section facing thefirst aperture 40 and a second end facing the center stop 34. The bodyhas a substantially tubular configuration with a nose 92, a back wall94, and one or more ridges 96. A window 98 is formed near the back wall94.

In an exemplary embodiment, the interior includes a first region 100, asecond region 102, and a third region 103. The first region 100 includesan opening 100 for receiving the escort cup 22. Although a bell-shapedopening is shown, the configuration of the open can vary, for example toaccommodate escort cups 22 having different sizes and shapes. The secondregion 102 has a frusto-conical shape that widens from the first region100 to the third region 103. The third region 103 has a substantiallycylindrical configuration and is in communication with the window 98. Anaperture 106 is provided in the back wall 94.

The second jaw assembly 30 is positioned in the interior of the carrier28. In an exemplary embodiment, the second jaw assembly 30 includesthree jaw members 108 and a retainer 110. The jaw members 108 have afront jaw surface 112, a rear jaw surface 114, and a jaw body 116extending therebetween. The jaw body 116 has an arcuate outer surfaceand an inner surface. At least a portion of the jaw body 116 angles ortapers towards the front jaw surface 112, allowing the jaw member 108 tomove or slide within the carrier 28. At least a portion of the jaw body116 inner surface contains a series of teeth 118. The teeth 118 may haveany shape, pitch, length, width, or spacing. First and second slots 120are formed in the jaw body 116 to receive the retainer 110. The retainer110 has three slots 122 configured to mate with the slots 120 in the jawmember 108 and three curved sections 124 having an outer edge thatsubstantially aligns with the outer edge of the jaw body 116 to give theassembly a substantially circular configuration as shown in FIG. 29. Asshown in FIGS. 30 and 31, the second jaw assembly 30 and the innerbiasing member 32 are positioned in the interior of the carrier 28. Thesecond jaw assembly 30 and the biasing member 32 can be loaded into thecarrier 28 through the carrier window 98.

FIGS. 32 and 33 show an exemplary embodiment of a center stop 34. Thecenter stop 34 has a center wall 126, a first opening 128, and a secondopening 130. The first opening 128 receives a second end of the secondouter biasing member 38 and at least partially encloses a portion of thebiasing member 38. The partial enclosure helps maintain the biasingmember 38 in place, preventing it from becoming dislodged and failing toexert proper biasing force in the correct direction. According tovarious exemplary embodiments, the center stop 34 is substantiallycylindrical having corresponding cylindrical first and second openings128, 130, although any shape, or combination of shapes, of center stop34 and first and second openings 128, 130 may be used. The center stop34 is held in position in the central chamber by a first and second setof dimples 132A, 132B.

In an alternative embodiment, an example of which is illustrated inFIGS. 37 and 38, the carrier can be a dual chamber carrier 200 thatincludes a first side having the configuration shown in FIGS. 30 and 31and a second side having a substantially identical opposite facingconfiguration. In this embodiment, the center stop 34 and the biasingmembers 38 can be removed. The first and second sides of the dualchamber can be separated by a single back wall 94 or other structure. Inan exemplary embodiment, the structure separating the first and secondsides can be configured to interface with the first and second set ofdimples 132A, 132B to hold the carrier in place.

For example, the dual chamber carrier 200 has a body 202 surrounding afirst interior 204 and a second interior 206. The first interior 204 andthe second interior 206 are separated by a center wall 208. The centerwall 208 can be closed as shown in FIG. 38 or include a through openingas shown in FIG. 24. The body 202 has a substantially tubularconfiguration with a first nose 210 facing the first aperture 40 and asecond nose 212 facing the second aperture 42.

The first interior 204 includes a first region 214, a second region 216,and a third region 218. The first region 214 includes an opening forreceiving the escort cup 22. Although a bell-shaped opening is shown,the configuration of the open can vary, for example to accommodateescort cups 22 having different sizes and shapes. The second region 216has a frusto-conical shape that widens from the first region 214 to thethird region 218. The third region 218 has a substantially cylindricalconfiguration and is in communication with a window 220. The secondinterior 206 has an opposite configuration. A second jaw assembly 30 ispositioned in the first interior 204 and the second interior 206 as withthe single chamber carrier 28 described above.

FIG. 34 shows an exemplary embodiment of the splice in the initial, orloading, position. The guide 20 extends into the casing 12, the escortcup 22 is positioned in the guide 22, and the pilot cup 24 is connectedto the escort cup 22. A portion of the pilot cup 24 and the escort cup22 are positioned in the first jaw assembly 26, for example between theupper and lower jaw members 76, 78. The position of the escort cup 22and the pilot cup 24 prevents the upper jaw member 76 and the lower jawmember 78 from moving closer together and prevents them from movingtowards the first aperture 40, holding the jaw assembly 26 open toreceive a cable 10. In this position the jaw assembly 26 compresses thebiasing member 36 in a loading position.

With the automatic splice in the initial, or loading, position, a firstcable 10 and a second cable 10 may be loaded into respective ends of thecasing 12. In an exemplary embodiment, a portion of the outer layer ofthe cable is stripped to expose the inner layer. The guide 20 receivingend 44 acts to contain the strands of the cable 10 and guide them intoand through the respective first casing aperture 40.

During insertion the inner layer of cables 10 pass through the escortcup 22 and into the pilot cup 24. The inner a layer of the cable 10engages the pilot cup 24 and the outer layer of the cable 10 engages theescort cup 22. Both the escort cup 22 and pilot cup 24 have taperedinterior portions to engage different sized cables 10.

After the cable 10 fully engages the pilot cup 24, the exertion of axialpressure by a user pushes the pilot cup 24, the escort cup 22, and thecable 10 through the first jaw assembly 26. After the escort cup 22 andthe pilot cup 24 clear the first jaw assembly 26, the biasing member 36will push the jaw assembly 26 toward the first aperture 40 to engage theouter layer of the cable 10. As the first jaw assembly 26 moves forward,the tapered jaw body 84 slides along the tapered inner casing surface,forcing the upper jaw 76 and the lower jaw 78 radially closer to oneanother. The cable 10 may still be able to move toward the center of thesplice, with the first jaw members 26 having angled teeth 86 allowingthe cable 10 to slide along the teeth 86 toward the center of the splicebut resisting movement in the opposite direction.

Because the pilot cup 24 is already positioned in the first jaw assembly26, the user need not exert substantial force to open the jaw assembly26 or load the biasing member 36. The rounded outer edge also helps tomove the escort cup 22 through the first jaw assembly 26. Moreover, theclamping of the escort cup 22 and pilot cup 24 in the first jaw assembly26 helps prevent dislodgement and also prevent any splayed ends of thecable 10 from interfering with the jaw assembly 26 or the biasing member36 that would adversely affect the connection made by the splice.

Further insertion causes the cable 10 and the pilot cup 24 to enter thecarrier 28. The escort cup 22 is received in the opening in the firstregion 100 of the carrier 28. The pilot cup 22 and the cable 10 passthrough the second jaw assembly 30 causing the second jaw assembly toengage the inner layer of the cable. The cable 10 can either terminatein the carrier 28 or the pilot cup 24 and cable 10 can pass through theback wall 94 and the aperture 106 depending on the cable length. Thepilot cup 24 can initial move the second jaw assembly 30 in the carrier,expanding the second jaw assembly 30 until a certain point is reachedwhere the pilot cup 24 will pass through the jaw members 108 and theretainer 110.

In an alternative embodiment, the guide 20, escort cup 22, and the pilotcup 24 can be removed from the casing 12 prior to inserting the cable10. Because certain cables have a tendency to splay a significantamount, the cables can be inserted at least partially into the guide 20and then the outer layer can be removed to expose the inner layer. Afterthe cable is properly retained, i.e. after sliding the escort cup 22over the outer strands and the pilot cup 24 over the inner strands, theguide 20, escort cup 22, and pilot cup 24 can be inserted back into thecasing 12 along with the cable 10.

As best shown in FIG. 36, the configuration of the splice may also beused in a dead-end connector 300. The dead-end connector 300 includeshalf of an automatic splice 310 having a casing 312. Although not shown,the dead-end splice 310 can include any combination of the internalcomponents of the splice discussed herein. The closed end of thedead-end connector 30 can be considered the central portion. The casing312 is attached to a dead end connector 314. In this exemplaryembodiment a clevis-type dead end connector is used, although othertypes of connectors may be used as would be understood by one ofordinary skill in the art. The dead end connector 314 includes aretaining washer 316, a yoke 318, and a bail 320. A clevis pin 322 issecured to the bail 320 and retained by a cotter pin 324.

The foregoing detailed description of the certain exemplary embodimentshas been provided for the purpose of explaining the principles of theinvention and its practical application, thereby enabling others skilledin the art to understand the invention for various embodiments and withvarious modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.This description is not necessarily intended to be exhaustive or tolimit the invention to the exemplary embodiments disclosed. Any of theembodiments and/or elements disclosed herein may be combined with oneanother to form various additional embodiments not specificallydisclosed. Accordingly, additional embodiments are possible and areintended to be encompassed within this specification and the scope ofthe appended claims. The specification describes specific examples toaccomplish a more general goal that may be accomplished in another way.

As used in this application, the terms “front,” “rear,” “upper,”“lower,” “upwardly,” “downwardly,” and other orientational descriptorsare intended to facilitate the description of the exemplary embodimentsof the present invention, and are not intended to limit the structure ofthe exemplary embodiments of the present invention to any particularposition or orientation. Terms of degree, such as “substantially” or“approximately” are understood by those of ordinary skill to refer toreasonable ranges outside of the given value, for example, generaltolerances associated with manufacturing, assembly, and use of thedescribed embodiments.

What is claimed:
 1. A cable splice comprising: a casing having a centralportion and a first end including a first aperture, wherein the casingdefines an interior cavity; a guide assembly extending through the firstopening into the interior cavity; a first clamp member positioned in theinterior cavity and moveable between a loading position and a terminatedposition; a first biasing member biasing the first clamp member towardthe terminated position; a carrier positioned in the interior cavitybetween the first biasing member and the central region, wherein thecarrier includes a body having an outer surface positioned inside of theinterior cavity; and a second clamp member positioned in the carrier andmoveable with respect to the carrier.
 2. The cable splice of claim 1,wherein the guide assembly includes a guide, an escort cup moveable inthe interior cavity with respect to the guide, and a pilot cup moveablewithin the interior cavity with respect to the guide and the escort cup.3. The cable splice of claim 2, wherein the escort cup includes a rearshaft that is configured to extend into the pilot cup in a loadingposition.
 4. The cable splice of claim 1, wherein the second clampmember includes a first jaw member, a second jaw member, and a third jawmember.
 5. The cable splice of claim 4, further comprising a retainerhaving a first slot, a second slot, and a third slot, and wherein thefirst slot receiving the first jaw member, the second slot receives thesecond jaw member and the third slot receives the third jaw member. 6.The cable splice of claim 1, wherein the carrier includes a window forinserting the second clamp into the carrier.
 7. The cable splice ofclaim 1, wherein the carrier includes a front opening configured toreceive at least a portion of the escort cup.
 8. The cable splice ofclaim 1, further comprising a second biasing member positioned in thecarrier biasing the second clamp member.
 9. The cable splice of claim 8,further comprising a stop positioned in the interior cavity and a thirdbiasing member positioned between the stop and the carrier.
 10. Thecable splice of claim 1, wherein the carrier includes first chambercontaining the second clamp member and a second chamber including athird clamp member facing the opposite direction of the second clampmember, and wherein the carrier includes structure positioned betweenthe first and second chambers configured to interface with a dimplesformed in the casing.
 11. A cable splice comprising: a casing having anopening configured to receive a cable, wherein the casing defines aninterior cavity; a guide extending into the casing; a escort cuppositioned in the casing and configured to receive an outer layer of thecable, the escort cup moveable with respect to the guide; a pilot cuppositioned in the casing and configured to receive an inner layer of thecable, the pilot cup moveable with respect to the guide and the escortcup; a first jaw assembly positioned in the interior cavity and moveablebetween a first loading position configured to receive the cable and afirst terminated position configured to engage the outer layer of thecable; and a second jaw assembly positioned in the interior cavity andmoveable between a second loading position configured to receive thecable and a second terminated position configured to engage the innerlayer of the cable.
 12. The cable splice of claim 11, wherein prior toinsertion of the cable, the escort cup is connected to the guide and thepilot cup is connected to the escort cup.
 13. The cable splice of claim11, wherein the guide includes a receiving end positioned outside of thecasing and a shaft extending inside of the casing.
 14. The cable spliceof claim 13, wherein prior to insertion of the cable a first portion ofthe escort cup extends into the guide and a second portion of the escortcup extends into the pilot cup.
 15. The cable splice of claim 14,wherein the escort cup includes a groove for receiving the pilot cup.16. The cable splice of claim 11, further comprising a carrierpositioned in the interior cavity, wherein the second jaw assembly ispositioned in the carrier.
 17. The cable splice of claim 16, wherein thecarrier includes a first region configured to receive the escort cup, asecond region having a tapered portion for moveably receiving the secondjaw assembly, and a third region in communication with a window.
 18. Thecable splice of claim 11, wherein a first biasing member biases thefirst jaw assembly toward the first terminated position and a secondbiasing member biases the second jaw assembly toward the secondterminated position.
 19. The cable splice of claim 11, wherein the pilotcup is configured to move with the cable inner layer through the firstjaw assembly and the second jaw assembly.
 20. The cable splice of claim11, wherein the first jaw assembly is axially and radially moveable inthe casing and the second jaw assembly is axially and radially moveablein the casing.
 21. A method of connecting utility line conductorscomprising: stripping a multi-strand cable to remove a portion of anouter layer and expose an inner layer; inserting the cable into a cablesplice that includes an escort cup, a pilot cup, a first jaw assembly, acarrier, and a second jaw assembly positioned in the carrier; engagingthe inner layer of the cable with the pilot cup; engaging the outerlayer of the cable with the escort cup; moving the pilot cup through thefirst jaw assembly; moving the escort cup through the first jawassembly; and moving the pilot cup into the carrier and through thesecond jaw assembly.